Anti-Spyware Poll 2006

[InfinityAz]

Bubba suggested in a previous AS poll to create a newer poll with more current choices, so I created this.

What Anti-Spyware software do you use, whether real time or on demand? You can make multiple selections and should read to the bottom of the poll list (you might find what you are looking for there).

[aigle]

BTW, it should be two polls, one for free ones, other for paid.
and can be still one for real time scanners, other for on-demand.
It will be nice if a rather bit complex poll is created by a mod to eloborate all these aspects.

[InfinityAz]

-{ Quote: "BTW, it should be two polls, one for free ones, other for paid.
and can be still one for real time scanners, other for on-demand.
It will be nice if a rather bit complex poll is created by a mod to eloborate all these aspects." }-

I thought about this but it was too complex to do and figured people could always post a message to elaborate on their configuration.

[InfinityAz]

My configuration:

Real Time: BitDefender 9 (P)

On Demand: Trend Micro AntiSpyware (P), AdAware, a-squared, Ewido, Spybot

Additional: SpywareBlaster, MVPS Hosts file, WinPatrol

(P) = Paid

[gerardwil]

Other: Prevx1 (realtime)
*AV: KAV

Gerard

[aigle]

Real time- W Defender, SpyCatcher, SnoopFree
On-Demand- SuperAS free, Kl Detector, Ewido free, SpyAudit, Spywarer doctor( just testing to see false positives).
Plus- SpywareBlaster

Most are just to play as I do safe surfing but if I could buy SpySweeper, the set up it can be-
SpySweeper and Ewido free only.

[zapjb]

I voted for 4. But I forgot KAV5 ondemand. Ad Aware, SSD, SuperAntiSpyware, KAV5 & NOD32. Only NOD32 RTM.

Edit: Cr*p people are mentioning preventative software also. I thought you meant products that can detect & cure spyware. So preventative here also: SpywareBlaster, HostsMan, ProcessGuard, ScrpTrap, Sygate PF, Harden-it, SocketLock & Windows Worms Doors Cleaner.

Edit #2: Also ondemand HijackThis, RootkitRevealer, F-Secure BlackLight & BitDefender AntiRoot.

So there. Joking.

[TOMxEU]

Realtime: None, OnDemand: HijackThis, MWAV, RootkitRevealer.

[Antarctica]

Realtime
KIS MP1 Beta and BoClean

On demand
Ewido and SuperAntispyware

[marcromero]

I voted [None] in this poll. I have no antispyware programs installed on my computer. I have NOD32 Antivirus installed.

[WSFuser]

-{ Quote: "I voted [None] in this poll. I have no antispyware programs installed on my computer. I have NOD32 Antivirus installed." }-
u couldve voted "*AV also detects Spyware (please specify)"

anyways for me, i have ewido online scanner for trojans and superantispyware (on-demand) for spyware. nod32 can also detect a few spywares i guess.

[MikeBCda]

In addition to the "standards" I use (Ad-Aware, ewido, SS&D), my avast a-v has for quite a while included a number of spyware baddies in its defs.

[rdsu]

NOD32
Arovax Shield
ewido anti-spyware
SUPERAntiSpyware
SpywareBlaster

[Upasaka]

If I must use my Windows desktop.........

NOD32

SuperAntispyware

Spyware Blaster.

[TonyW]

*AV also detects Spyware (please specify) = KAV, but using KIS.

[manOFpeace]

Spy Sweeper, Ad-aware and BOClean.

[Suggers]

Ad-aware
Spywareblaster & Spywareguard
ie-spyad

[YeOldeStonecat]

On my rig...
NOD32 (AV that detects it)
Spybot S&D..updated and immunized..hardly scan with it though
Sometimes Adaware scans..not in a long time though.

Recently changed my home connection (which I do every few months out of boredom)...currently running behind an IPCop *nix router I built on a small form factor P4 2.4 with 512 megs. Added the Copfilter mod...which scans with ClamAV, Spamassasin, Snort, and has a custom web filter.

[Osaban]

Real Time: NOD32 + ShadowUser

On demand: Ewido

[ASpace]

I voted for Ad-Aware se , Spybot S&D , AV + IS suit

Ad-Aware se + Spybot S&D because they are well known and always clean a lot

AV=> NOD32 because it is great AV + it is great spyware prevention software and most of the times good spyware cleaner

IS => Panda Platinum 2006 => Good malware *cleaner* at all :) (never good protection, too high on resourses)

[Grumble]

Real-Time (all paid)

- NOD32 (& scan 3 times/week)
- BOClean
- Giant AS (& scan daily)

On-Demand only (scan monthly)

- Ewido (paid)
- A-squared
- Ad-Aware
- SpyBot S&D (immunized)
- Outpost Pro AS
- Bazooka
- KAV on-line scanner

Also: Win Patrol, Spyware Blaster, and (sometimes) Sandboxie.

Have not found any malware on my computer for two years now, but I keep looking!

[the Tester]

Real-time:BoClean and Spyware Terminator(beta).
On-demand:A-squared and Spyware Blaster.

[herbalist]

I have no anti-spyware apps installed. I use System Safety Monitor (http://syssafety.com/) to prevent unwanted installs and processes. If I should happen to install something that I either decide against or is bundled with something unwanted, I have regularly updated system backups handy.
Rick

[dawgg]

Realtime: KIS Beta (KasperskyInternetSecurity)
On-Demand: Ewido, Spy Sweeper, SuperAntiSpyware

[WSFuser]

-{ Quote: "anyways for me, i have ewido online scanner for trojans and superantispyware (on-demand) for spyware. KAV 6 can also detect a few spywares i guess." }-
just some changes to reflect my setup.

[nicM]

I don't use real-time AS, and don't scan a lot anyway.

But I voted for SuperAntispyware, which I consider very good (thorough scan, ability to actually detect spywares without sigs :o ), and promising.

nicM

[Infinity]

A Squared for their IDS (realtime), Boclean (also realtime) for their superiour Memory scanner and spysweeper for on demand...

[Infinity]

-{ Quote: "I don't use real-time AS, and don't scan a lot anyway.

But I voted for SuperAntispyware, which I consider very good (thorough scan, ability to actually detect spywares without sigs :o ), and promising.

nicM" }-


you mean heuristics? aren't heuristics based on sigs too? or am I missing something? I thought that heuristics where signatures but with a wider scope, with the possibility to produce f/p's? .. ..

[nicM]

-{ Quote: "you mean heuristics? aren't heuristics based on sigs too? or am I missing something? I thought that heuristics where signatures but with a wider scope, with the possibility to produce f/p's? .. .." }-

To tell you the truth, I don't know how is working generic detection with SuperAntispyware, butwhat I've seen is that it is actually detecting threats without having sigs about it.

One example : Here, I did install several spywares, (for testing purpose ;D of course), and here is an extract from the log of SAS's scan (the names are Ewido's names btw), I've kept it on an USB drive :

-{ Quote: "Unclassified.Unknown Origin/System
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DWDSREGT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DWDSREGT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\BMQIER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\BMQIER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\RVHME.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\RVHME.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Nmina\Local Settings\Temp\f2997800.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hjfmp.dat
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\BMQIER.EXE-127B1DE4.pf
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\DWDSREGT.EXE-373063D8.pf" }- >>> This was Downloader.Qoologic.bj, with a component from Trojan.ZenoSearch (also detected with sigs, about it's other files)


-{ Quote: "Trojan.Unknown Origin
C:\Documents and Settings\Nmina\Local Settings\Temp\cmdinst.exe
C:\WINDOWS\id.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dqnqowt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\TiBN\n21h.vbs
C:\WINDOWS\ts.exe
C:\WINDOWS\uninstall_nmon.vbs
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\ID.EXE-27CF2346.pf
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\TS.EXE-37C3F1FB.pf" }->>> This one was a mix of files from Downloader.Small.buy, Downloader.Qoologic.bj (again), Adware.CommAd, and Downloader.TSUpdate. Plus another nasty one, but I didn't get a name for this one, since the other scanners I used didn't detect it.

-{ Quote: "Unclassified.Unknown Origin
C:\Program Files\Fichiers communs\kfzo\kfzoa.exe
C:\Program Files\Fichiers communs\kfzo\kfzom.exe
C:\WINDOWS\TiBN\command.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\COMMAND.EXE-09B789B7.pf" }->>> I did scan these on Jottis, but do not remember their names, sorry :-[ (I remember kfzoa.exe was a keylogger, though. And "Fichiers Communs" is the french for Common Files).

10 other different spywares were detected by sigs.


I didn't get a single FP, and as I've said, it's scan is thorough :o , it did even pick every temp files from malwares, and files located in Common Files, here and there (Ewido didn't).

Seems a good job to me! ;)

nicM

[malaria]

Hi nicM, i think it detected with sigs. You can see in Database Definitions Updates in SAS homepage. There are update for Unclassified.Unknown Origin/System, Trojan.Unknown Origin and Unclassified.Unknown Origin.

[nicM]

-{ Quote: "Hi nicM, i think it detected with sigs. You can see in Database Definitions Updates in SAS homepage. There are update for Unclassified.Unknown Origin/System, Trojan.Unknown Origin and Unclassified.Unknown Origin." }-

Hi malaria,

umm, yes, seems you're right : I didn't check it before, but that sounds as strange names for sigs defs, I didn't expect it :o .

nicM

[Carver]

1.NOD32
2.OutPost W/spyware system scan
3.Ad-Aware
4.spybot Search & Distroy
5.Ewido
6.Spyware Guard & spyware blaster
In order of effectiveness on my system.

[muf]

Realtime: SuperAntispyware, BOClean.
On Demand: Spy Sweeper.

These are the three i voted for & how i use them.

muf

[EASTER.2010]

-{ Quote: "I have no anti-spyware apps installed. I use System Safety Monitor (http://syssafety.com/) to prevent unwanted installs and processes. If I should happen to install something that I either decide against or is bundled with something unwanted, I have regularly updated system backups handy.
Rick" }-

EXACTLY THE SAME HERE

Online Virus Scans if absolutely needed on research finds.

SSM + FIREWALL + LAUNCH MONITOR w/ On-Demand Ewido = 100% SECURED ON THIS END. PERIOD!

[bigc73542]

I use the antispyware that come in my Panda Titanium 2006+ Antispyware. Plus I also have spywareblaster. The antispyware in Panda seems to work well so far seeing as how I don,t get spyware.

[Security Freak]

1) Kaspersky (amazing AV,able to catch everything in my PC,incliding spyware)
2)S B S&D as always one of the best and still free
3)Ad-aware,amazing since the early days of XP and still ruling
Spyware Blaster,nice adition to my arsenal,using it and browsing with Firefox is very safe.
and my last weapon of choice is SuperAntiSpyware,wow i can,t believe that software its free

[furballi]

McAfee 8.0i Corporate has a spyware module. Since my AV scanner is OFF, the answer would be NONE. I only update the definition and run a full-system scan twice a year.

[bigc73542]

I have dropped my Panda titanium and have gone to trend Micro Pc-cillin internet security 2006 and the antispyware included in it seems to work a lot better than pandas. :thumb:

[Badcompany]

My Three Musketeers keeps me safe.
Realtime: Kis 6 - SuperAntispyware - Ewido.:thumb:
On-Demand: SpySweeper 5.

[chrisretusn]

Assuming this poll pertains to Windows only, I use Ad-Aware, ewido, a-squared, Spy-Bot S&D as on demand.

For real time, I us my software FW, Outpost Pro spyware plug-in.

[nosirrah]

I have used SpySweeper , PestPatrol , CounterSpy and SpywareDoctor and can confirm that all of them have excellent detection rates .

ZeroSpyware is by far the best at detecting and removing the non-executable "fluff" that comes with malware .

I fix windows based systems for a living so one of the things I often have to do is disinfect systems . I do this by slaving the infected drive(s) to my system (it can handle up to 12 externally connected drives at once) and scan them with a multitude of malware scanners . Once all of the malware is removed from the file system I return the drive(s) to their home system(s) to take care of the registry remnants . My assessments of the software mentioned above pertain to slave scanning only .

My home system on the other hand is completely unprotected . I use it for malware research .

[dah145]

Spyware Terminator, for real time, HIPS disabled
KIS 6, good spyware rates
SUPERAntispyware for On-demand
Ewido too.
8)

[sweater]

I have several anti-spyware on-demand scanners, and I only have one active system spyware monitor...the WinPatrol Plus. In the past I have multi-system monitor but I find it to hog my pc and slowed it like a turtle. So for now, I think one system monitor would just enough for me. As long as I am using limited acct when surfing and has some other "protection programs" on my machine I am safe. 8) Also, I think, my anti-virus is also doing its job in detecting some spywares.

[marcromero]

-{ Quote: "I voted [None] in this poll. I have no antispyware programs installed on my computer. I have NOD32 Antivirus installed." }-

Av also detects spyware, my current security is NAV 2007.

[twl845]

Grumble - There's no room on your pc for spyware. Did I count 13 anti-spyware apps? 3 or 4 would be overkill. ;D

[GES/POR]

Avira premium and a-squared anti malware. Still looking for a dedicated anti spyware to trust.

[DVD+R]

Webroot Spy Sweeper and AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 both On Demand Active Shields. If one doesnt get it, the other one will ;D And they work in perfect harmony together on my machine

[museheart]

Firewall also detects Spyware (please specify)
*Internet Security Suite also detects Spyware (please specify)

I use Spydoctor
AdAware
PCCillin Internet Suite (Trend Micro)
BoClean

and want to use Spywareblaster again but not sure about conflicts.

[MalwareDie]

-{ Quote: "Firewall also detects Spyware (please specify)
*Internet Security Suite also detects Spyware (please specify)

I use Spydoctor
AdAware
PCCillin Internet Suite (Trend Micro)
BoClean

and want to use Spywareblaster again but not sure about conflicts." }-




Did you just say spydoctor? SpyDoctor is not a legitimate product and it infringes on the good name of PCTools Spyware Doctor. I recommend uninstaling Spy Doctor quickly. I do not know why you would have this product though. It was forced by PCTools to change its name to SpyLax. It was once a rogue antispyware product and it still is. It produces an obsene amount of fals positives and if you want it to ruin you rcomputer you can keep it.

[museheart]

-{ Quote: "Did you just say spydoctor? SpyDoctor is not a legitimate product and it infringes on the good name of PCTools Spyware Doctor. I recommend uninstaling Spy Doctor quickly. I do not know why you would have this product though. It was forced by PCTools to change its name to SpyLax. It was once a rogue antispyware product and it still is. It produces an obsene amount of fals positives and if you want it to ruin you rcomputer you can keep it." }-

Yes, that is what I said but what I meant was Spyware Doctor. Sorry.

I can't seem to keep anything straight lately! :blink:

[twl845]

I have a chance to purchase Spyware Doctor at $10 off, and am wondering how it compares with Spysweeper, and what you may think of it. Can you give me any info? Thanks in advance. ;D

[lodore]

kis6.0
A Squared
ewido micro
superantispyware if i can get it to complete a scan.
ive got to say A Squared is my favorite on demand scanner.
lodore

[museheart]

-{ Quote: "I have a chance to purchase Spyware Doctor at $10 off, and am wondering how it compares with Spysweeper, and what you may think of it. Can you give me any info? Thanks in advance. ;D" }-


I have tried both. I think Spyware Doctor is far superior to Spysweeper. It has so many variables that you can set. In fact, I had bought Spysweeper last year and uninstalled it before my renewal date.

Just my opinion, they both hog resources but with Spyware Doctor you have some control over them. :)

I have also read that it performs better in keeping keyloggers away.

[MalwareDie]

Oh you have spyware doctor after all. When you typed spy doctor I thought you had a rogue antispyware product. Seeing as you have spyware doctor not Spy doctor then you are fine

[Long View]

Like most on this forum I have spent years trying out one anti virus or anti spyware program after another.

Now I simply hide behind a hardware firewall + ProSecurity and no longer have any real time security slowing me down. Every so often I run a couple of on demand scans and then make a new system image withAcronis. Should anything nasty ever get through I would simply restore a known clean image. I hadn't realised just how fast my machine could be until I turned off all this protection.

[EASTER.2010]

Those choices are staggering. Seriously.

Myself, have not really taken inventory of ALL the brands floating the market/internet etc. but am taken aback by the pure numbers of those listed above, and know there are yet others too.

In the beginning was Ad-Aware 6 here after a brief time with my first one which was Spysweeper. Time moved on. XP came about, newer inventions (creations) were introduced to help make detections better and so forth.

Now we have rootkits & gromozon entities which require even more new developer entries into this fast paced net world of detection/removal programs and all that.

Things have so evolved en masse and to a much greater degree than i ever expected just to secure and shield a PC before it can even connect to the WWW lines.

At any rate, from this end it continues to be a constant revolving door. Secure a product that specializes in strictly AV capture, then another one that is highly regarded as a Bot/Spy Detector, on then to a RootKit/Hider Revealer, also comes along now is a good HIPS application, and of course the Firewall...........so on and so forth.

What used to contain some amusement is become a serious race to reach the best possible combo that offers the MOST protections.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
Apropos amusement, Internet is and still can be fun, if things are taken in proportion. But some people are absolutely fascinated with security / malware wars and some others are blinded with money - and this what they want you to hear.
Mrk

[btman]

My OTHER choice is Arovax Anti-Spyware.

[pipester]

I voted *AV also detects spyware (please specify). I use NOD32.

[Ice_Czar]

none

pretty much the infection vectors are eliminated or controlled so there has been no real need for a dedicated anti-spyware ap.

[AaLF]

-{ Quote: "Like most on this forum I have spent years trying out one anti virus or anti spyware program after another.

Now I simply hide behind a hardware firewall + ProSecurity and no longer have any real time security slowing me down. Every so often I run a couple of on demand scans and then make a new system image withAcronis. Should anything nasty ever get through I would simply restore a known clean image. I hadn't realised just how fast my machine could be until I turned off all this protection." }-

You could be thrown in jail for dissent with a contrary attitude like that.

How long have you been "un-plugged"?

What do you use and what do you mean by "on demand scans"?

I might have a go. Sounds fun.

[Long View]

-{ Quote: "You could be thrown in jail for dissent with a contrary attitude like that.

How long have you been "un-plugged"?

What do you use and what do you mean by "on demand scans"?

I might have a go. Sounds fun." }-


un-plugged ? only for a few weeks ..... BUT

Netgear DG834 hardware firewall shows me stealthed
ProSecurity has stopped everything that I have been able to test it with.
Avast - I must confess I have turned Avast back on - but only the Standard Shield.
Also Firefox ( no script) helps.

But from my point of view Acronis is the main security. I can make a system image in 5 minutes and restore in 9.

So I make an image and then install and run windows defender, spybot or ad aware or AVG AS or A squared or prevx and when they all show no problem I simply restore my clean image. Apart from the occasional cookie ( which crap cleaner deals with) I have seen nothing of any importance this millennium. Windows defender has never shown up anything. Most programs that I have tested have shown up vastly more false positives then real. Recently Avast complained about a Power DVD file (straight from the DVD).

Security is needed to protect not to bog machines down.

[ASM]

Interesting Thread.

NOD32, Outpost Ver 4 and CounterSpy
SPERAnitsptware and AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 for on-demand scan

[C.S.J]

i use my trusted dr.web,

did quite well in the PUP test from av comparatives, so no need to use a seperate program.

very pleased with my dr.web, with performance and with price. :o

wooooohoooo dr.web :) :P :D ;)

[Bubba]

Thanks to all who participated in this 2006 poll.
Please visit our 2007 Anti-Spyware Poll (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=160724).

Happiest of New Years,
The Wilders Team